MYCORRHIZAL STATUS OF CROPS GROWN IN ARSENIC AFFECTED AREAS OF MANIKGANJ DISTRICT AND ROLE OF MYCORRHIZAE ON GROWTH OF SELECTED CROS IN ARSENIC AMENDED SOIL

Abstract

Crops are often contaminated with arsenic in Bangladesh. This result from irrigation water contaminated with arsenic and leads to problems in human health. Mycorrhizal fungi have their most significant effect on P uptake and have also been shown to reduce arsenic contamination 10 the crops. The present experiment was performed to know the mycorrhizal status of different crops root collected from different arsenic affected villages of Manikganj district. This study also determined the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on crops growth in arsenic amended soil. Three crops (tomato. radish and garlic) were grown in arsenic amended soils with or without mycorrhizal inoculation. Three levels of arsenic concentrations (1 Oppm, IOOppm and 500ppm) were used. At higher concentration of arsenic, the seed germination was affected more than the other treatments. A positive germination response to AMF inoculation was observed in all the selected crops. In case of garlic, the seed germination, all physical growth was higher at 500ppm treated pots but lower in other two crops. In case of tomato and radish shoot height, root length, number of leaves, both fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, mycorrhizal root colonization and percent vigor were higher in AMF inoculated pots in comparison to their respective treatments and decreased significantly with the increase rate of arsenic concentrations. Higher nutrient uptake and less arsenic content were recorded in rnycorrhiza inoculated plants. The findings indicate that AMF inoculation not only minimize arsenic toxicity but also can increase growth and nutrient uptake of crops.